Anyone who’s logged into Apex Legends when their friends are offline has asked the same question: can you play apex legends solo? For years, players have begged Respawn for a permanent solo queue, and while the devs have tested the mode multiple times, it’s never stuck around permanently. That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the game alone, though. This guide breaks down exactly how to play solo, what characters work best, and what strategies you need to win matches without a squad by your side.
Can You Play Apex Legends Solo Without a Permanent Queue?
Respawn first launched a limited-time solo queue back in 2019, and while it was popular with casual players, the devs removed it after a few months due to major balance issues. Many characters that are designed around team utility became completely useless, while high-mobility recon characters dominated the meta to the point that matches felt unplayable for anyone who picked a different legend. The mode has popped up for short event runs a few times since, but there are no current plans for a permanent solo queue.
That doesn’t mean you can’t play alone, though. The game’s no-fill queue option lets you enter trios or duos lobbies without being matched with random teammates, so you’re truly playing alone against full squads. No-fill queue is the only fair way to play solo without ruining the experience for random teammates, so avoid the common trick of queuing with randoms and ignoring them to play alone. If you’re new to playing Apex Legends solo, no-fill queue is the best place to start, because you don’t have to worry about letting teammates down when you make mistakes. Note that no-fill is not available for ranked lobbies, so you’ll only be able to play solo in casual matches unless a limited-time solo ranked mode launches.
Best Character Picks for Solo Apex Legends Play
When you’re playing Apex Legends solo, you don’t have a squad to cover your weaknesses, so picking a self-sufficient character is non-negotiable. You need a legend with strong mobility, escape tools, and abilities that don’t rely on team synergy to be useful. Avoid any character whose main kit is built around supporting teammates, as those abilities will be completely wasted when you’re playing alone.
Our top three picks for solo play are:
You can also experiment with other self-sufficient picks like Octane or Ash, but the three above have the most consistent win rates for solo play. Always pick a character with at least one escape ability if you’re playing solo, because you will get caught out by squads eventually, and you need a way to get to safety fast.
Core Gameplay Rules for Solo Apex Legends Matches
One of the biggest differences between squad play and Apex Legends solo play is that you can’t rely on anyone else to watch your back, so situational awareness becomes twice as important. You can’t play the same way you would with a squad, because a single mistake will get you eliminated immediately, no one is there to revive you. Follow these core rules to avoid early wipes and rack up more wins. Apex Legends solo play rewards patience far more than squad play, so don’t feel like you have to get kills every match to have fun.
First, prioritize positioning over kills. You’re outnumbered in every fight, so holding high ground with plenty of cover is always better than chasing a kill in the open. If you don’t have a clear advantage, don’t push. Never push a full healthy squad unless you have a clear advantage, like high ground or they’re distracted by another team. I’ve made the mistake of pushing a full squad early in the game way too many times, and 9 times out of 10 I get wiped before I can even down one player.
Second, use third parties to your advantage. If you hear two squads fighting nearby, hang back and wait until one squad is almost completely wiped. Then push the remaining low-health enemies, and you’ll be able to take out a full squad without taking much damage. Just make sure you don’t wait too long, or another third party will show up and catch you off guard.
Third, carry more healing than you think you need. You don’t have a teammate to drop you extra shield cells or med kits, so stock up whenever you can. Aim for at least 4 med kits, 6 shield cells, and 2 phoenix kits in your inventory at all times. You should also carry extra ammo for your main weapon, since you don’t have teammates to share ammo with if you run out mid-fight.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Playing Solo Apex Legends
Most mistakes new players make with Apex Legends solo play come from treating the game the same way they would when playing with a squad. It’s easy to fall back on old habits, but small missteps that would be harmless in a squad match will get you eliminated instantly when you’re playing alone. If you can avoid these common mistakes, you’ll have a far easier time with Apex Legends solo play, even if you’re still learning the game.
The most common mistake is wasting your escape ability on trivial things. Don’t use Wraith’s phase shift just to run to a death box faster, or Pathfinder’s grapple just to climb a small hill. Save those abilities for when you’re caught in a bad fight, because they’re the only thing that will save you when a full squad pushes you at once.
Another common mistake is looting for too long. You don’t need fully kitted weapons and gold armor to win fights, so don’t spend 10 minutes looting every building in a POI. Most squads will finish looting within the first two minutes of the match, so you need to be ready to move and fight by the time the first ring closes. If you’re still looting when the ring starts moving, you’ll be an easy target for squads that are already positioned in the next zone.
Finally, don’t forget to check your surroundings constantly. When you’re playing with a squad, you can split up to watch different angles, but when you’re alone, you have to do all the work yourself. Glance around every 10 seconds, especially when you’re looting, healing, or reloading. It only takes a couple of seconds for a squad to sneak up on you and wipe you before you can react.
At the end of the day, the answer to can you play apex legends solo is a definite yes, even without a permanent dedicated queue. You don't need a full squad to have fun or win matches, as long as you pick the right character, follow smart gameplay rules, and avoid common mistakes. Even if you only play Apex Legends solo occasionally, it’s a great way to get better at 1v1 fights and improve your overall game sense. No-fill queue gives you a fair way to play alone without ruining the game for other players, and it’s a great way to improve your individual skills even if you usually play with a squad. If you're tired of dealing with toxic random teammates or your friends aren't online, give no-fill solo play a try next time you log on. You might be surprised how many wins you can pull off once you get the hang of it.